Plot

The episode starts with Richard and the kids at home watching TV. The doorbell rings, so Anais opens the door to find Larry dressed in fancy garb playing a bugle. Anais remarks that her special prince had finally arrived (after having kissed several frogs), but he clarifies that he is there with a message for Gumball and Darwin, causing her to get back to working towards her fantasy with her current frog. Larry then presents Gumball, Darwin, and Richard to an invitation to a birthday party using a mechanical contraption that releases an explosive flash, engraving the name of the sender on their retinas: Masami.

Once Larry departs (with his damaged vision causing him to trip over the Wattersons' front porch, drive off in their car, and start a small fire), Gumball and Darwin freak out over not knowing what they could possibly bring her for a birthday present. They fear disappointing her, citing an instance where someone named Harry got her socks (despite not having legs) - the next day, his father lost his job and the family moved out of Elmore. Richard proposes that they deliberately get her nothing, though Gumball decides a better approach would be to lie their way out of it.

At school, Gumball tries to explain that they lost the invitation, but Masami is skeptical, presenting them with the invitation for a second time, simulataneously causing further damage to Gumball, Darwin, and Larry's retinas. The two sigh, knowing that there is no longer a way out of attending the party.

Later, the two approach Masami in her locker, asking her to guess what they got her for the party (in an attempt to figure out the appropriate gift). She guesses that it is the Mic Graves that she saw at the store; knowing this, the two immediately dismiss Masami, now knowing what to get her, though the rest of her classmates were also listening in, prompting a frantic race to the mall over who gets the gift.

Gumball and Darwin ultimately get to the store before their classmates and attempt to purchase the Mic Graves from Larry, which is then revealed to be a painting worth $20,000. They decide to instead present Masami with something (or someone) they can actually afford.

The two confront Alan at school, hoping to present him as a love-gift to Masami and offer $10 when Alan refuses. Alan goes off into a speech about how money cannot buy love, causing Gumball and Darwin to leave in boredom. He then turns to face the camera, though his speech is once again cut off as the camera begins to pan away.

Shortly after, Carmen, Teri, and Leslie confront Masami over what they should get her for the party, though she is dismissive of their fawning over her. The three then run off, believing it to be a test, and Gumball and Darwin emerge from the floor, having camofluaged themselves in an attempt to eavesdrop. Darwin points out that Masami seems unhappy and has forgotten how to have fun. Gumball concludes that Richard was right: they were to get her nothing more than a 'taste for life.'

Gumball and Darwin then surprise Masami with the gift of beng locked in their basement so that she would realize how much she actually wanted her birthday by missing it entirely. Masami points out that the two committed a felony by kidnapping her, so the two decide to abandon their plan only to find themselves locked in. He bangs on the door, frantically wondering why nobody will help them. The scene then cuts to Richard and Nicole at the hospital, where Anais is heavily swollen from frog flu due to kissing so many frogs.

Back in the basement, Masami decides she should text her father about being locked in their basement, but Gumball tries to grab the phone from her for making it sound like she was locked up against her will. In the process of fighting over the phone, Gumball accidentally sends a photo of Masami looking frightened, worsening the situation. He tries to amend the issue by typing what sounds like a ransom, causing Darwin to interject and try to take the phone from Gumball. In the process of doing so, they accidentally send a series of emojis.

Meanwhile, at the party, Mr. Yoshida confronts Doughnut Sheriff about all of the strange text messages. The Sheriff interprets them as threats and calls in the police force to investigate the site of the 'crime.' Cutting back to the basement, Gumball, Darwin, and Masami accidentally break the phone in the midst of fighting over it. They then search for anything useful as a means to escape, with Darwin finding a flare gun. However, he accidentally fires it, causing the basement to erupt in flames.

The three subdue the fire by breaking open their water pipes, but that only causes basement to begin flooding. After a failed attempt to drink the water up, Masami bursts open the basement door using the segment of the pipe that they broke off, narrowly escaping. Safely in their living room, Darwin apologizes, telling her they only wanted to get her the best gift possible. Masami says she would have been happier with something small, showing Gumball and Darwin the socks she got from Harry.

Gumball freaks out about the fact that Masami had legs and says that he thought that Harry's father was run out of town. Masami clarifies that his father was, in fact, promoted (causing them to move away) before confessing that all she really wanted was for people to treat her like a normal person and sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Touched, the two begin to sing to Masami but are almost immediately tackled to the ground by a SWAT team, ending the episode.

Trivia

This episode also reveals that she got socks from Harry (who moved because of that) in Gumball and Darwin's 3rd grade and she is still wearing them.

Masami guesses that her gift will be a painting by Mic Graves, who is a director on the show and the voice of multiple characters, including Banana Joe and William.

According to Darwin, this episode marks the first time Richard is right about something.

The fourth wall is broken on two occasions:

The first is when the students are revealed to be eavesdropping on Gumball, Darwin and Masami, having crammed themselves between the edge of the frame (or rather, where it was before it zoomed out to reveal them) and the walls, floor and ceiling outside of it.

The second is when Alan talks about love as the camera pans hard away.

This episode marks Mr. Yoshida's first physical appearance in the series.

Gumball and Darwin attempt to give Alan's love as a gift to Masami, but Alan remarks that he loves Carmen, a reference to the events of "The Storm."

This is the sixth time that Gumball shows characteristics of a real cat - his way of drinking water in the basement is typical for cats.

When Gumball, Darwin, and Masami search the basement, several objects from previous episodes resurface, including the toaster from "The Recipe," the boot from "The Name," the exploded lamp from "The Burden," and Darwin's swanee whistle from "The Triangle."

The Invitation

[Gumball, Darwin, Anais, and Richard are in the living room with the TV on. The doorbell rings and Anais answers it. It's Larry, who's dressed fancily and plays a fanfare. Anais gasps]

Anais: My prince charming has finally arrived! I knew it was worth kissing all those frogs.

Larry: Actually, I'm here to deliver a message to Gumball and Darwin.

Anais: Oh, well. [Holds up a frog] Back to work, Reginald.

[Reginald lets out a deep, long croak and Anais walks away while kissing him]

Larry: You are about to receive an invitation to a birthday party.

[He holds up a box that plays a fanfare and opens up to reveal a flower, which opens up to let a mechanical bird fly out. The bird explodes and there is a bright flash, which dilates Gumball's, Darwin's, Richard's, and Larry's pupils]

Gumball: Okay, so where's the invitation?

Larry: That was it, the confetti spelled it out.

Darwin: We were kinda blinded by the explosion.

Larry: Just close your eyes.

[They do]

Gumball: Oh, my gosh, it's burned into our retinas!

Darwin: [reading] "Come to Masami's birthday party."

Gumball and Darwin: Dude, this is bad.

Larry: I know, I've seen it twenty times today. The doctor said it should fade sometime between now and the next ten years, have a nice day.

[He leaves with his arm extended out. He falls off the porch, gets into the wrong car, drives into the mailbox, and backs into a street light, knocking it down and causing a fire. Gumball closes the door]

Gumball: We meant the birthday party is bad!

Richard: It's a party, what's not to like? There'll be cake and games and cake - CAAAAAAKE!

Darwin: You don't get it, Mr. Dad, this is Masami. She's like the princess of Elmore Junior High.

Gumball: Everything's gotta be perfect! You saw the invitation!

Richard: [closes his eyes] Still can.

Darwin: And who knows what will happen if she's disappointed. Her dad's a very powerful man.

Gumball: Do you remember Harry from third grade?

Richard: I remember Harry. He used to sit behind me in math.

Gumball: Not your third grade, our third grade.

Darwin: I remember him. He gave Masami a pair of toe-socks.

Gumball: Big mistake. Masami doesn't have legs. Next thing you know Harry's dad lost his job at the Rainbow Factory and the whole family moved outta town.

Richard: Don't worry, that could never happen to us. I don't have a job.

Darwin: But Mrs. Mom does. We need to get Masami the best gift ever.

Gumball: But what do you get for the girl who has everything?

Richard: [joyfully] Nothing! [Gumball and Darwin give him a blasé look. He laughs uneasily] Uh, what about friendship? Isn't being there for someone the most beautiful gift you can give?

Gumball: Or we lie our way out of the party.

Darwin: Yup, much better plan.

[They both leave the house]

Awkward Interactions

[At school in the hall, Gumball and Darwin explain to Masami why they can't come]

Gumball: ...And that's when the raccoons broke into our house because they started that turf war with the skunks and while they were fighting, they fell into the shark tank and then one of the raccoons grabbed the invite and tried to get out, but got eaten anyway and that's why we can't come to your party, okay, bye!

[He and Darwin turn to leave]

Masami: Hold on a second. [Gumball and Darwin stop] You can't come because you lost the invite that was burnt into your retinas?

[Gumball inhales deeply]

Gumball: Yyeeesss...

Masami: We'll just have another one. [Snaps her fingers and Larry comes and gives them another invite. There's another bright flash, which causes Gumball's, Darwin's, and Larry's pupils to dilate and melt into their eyes] See you at the party, I guess.

[She leaves]

Darwin: Of course, now that we're double-invited!

[He and Gumball laugh before sighing. They start walking, but bump into Larry]

Gumball: Could you point us toward the classroom please?

Larry: Could you point me toward the exit?

[Gumball points one way and Larry feels for his finger. Then Larry points the other way and Gumball feels for his finger. Gumball takes Darwin's fin and they all start walking. Larry falls out of a window while Gumball and Darwin end up inside one of the lockers]

[Later, the bell rings and Masami is about to open her locker when Gumball and Darwin pop out]

Gumball: Hey, Masami, bet you don't know what pre-- [they both fall out] ...what present we got you that you would [singsong voice] really like.

Darwin: Dude, we haven't got her--

[Gumball shoves Darwin's legs into his mouth]

Masami: [blasé] You're right. I don't know.

Gumball: But I bet you'd like to guess what present we got you that you would [singsong voice] really like.

Masami: Nah. I wouldn't.

Darwin: Please try.

Masami: [still unenthusiastic] Okay, um, is it the Mic Graves I saw at the store?

Gumball: No. Bye!

Masami: Well, is it the--

Gumball: Bye!

Masami: But it's just I need something for my--

Gumball: Bye!

Masami: Whatever.

[She leaves]

Darwin: [softly] What's a Mic Graves?

Gumball: [softly] I don't know, mysterious girl stuff. But at least we know what to buy her.

Darwin: What a coincidence. I haven't heard of Mic Graves until Masami said it. And now everyone's talking about them.

Gumball: THEY WERE EAVESDROPPING, DUDE, COME ON!

Race to the Mall

[Most of Gumball's classmates run down the hall. Gumball turns on a water fountain, causing Bobert to short out and crash into a wall. Darwin attaches Tobias' headband to a door handle, causing the former to start stretching out. The kids enter the cafeteria and Darwin kicks Idaho into Principal Brown's lunch. He gets picked up by his fork and screams, causing Principal Brown to notice him and scream as well. Gumball and Darwin approach Teri and Darwin blows her away. Some of the remaining kids exit the school. In the style of an 8-bit videogame, Gumball jumps on Ocho and uses him as a bowling ball against Jamie, Tina, Carmen, and William. Sarah reaches the mall parking lot.]

Sarah: I made it! I made it!

[Darwin uses a car's side-view mirror to reflect the sun onto her and melt her head, making her fall over. Gumball, Darwin, Jamie, Tina, Carmen, and William enter the mall. Tobias is struggling to go any further due to his headband being so stretched out. The headband snaps and he falls on his face. Gumball and Darwin approach the elevator and Gumball rapidly presses the button. The others run toward them. Tina knocks Carmen and Jamie away, leaving only her and William. Tina roars and Gumball gets into the elevator, taking Darwin with. The door closes and Tina and William crash into it. Larry is standing in the art department and Gumball and Darwin approach him]

Gumball: Larry! Do you have any Mic Graves?!

Larry: Any what?

Gumball: Mic Graves - a Mic Grave!

Larry: Oh, Mic Graves, the artist. Yes, we have an original for sale.

Gumball: Great! I'll take it!

Larry: That's $4,000.

Darwin: What?! Where are we gonna find $4,000?

Larry: Oh, no, $4,000 is the title of the painting. It actually costs $20,000.

Still Looking for a Gift

[Cut to the school hallway]

Alan: [shaking his head] Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.

Gumball: Aw, come on, Alan. All we're asking is to wrap you up, keep you overnight, and then give you as a love-gift to Masami. Is that so bad--actually, now that I've said that out loud, it does seem pretty bad.

Alan: You know my heart belongs to Carmen.

Gumball: Fine, we'll give you ten dollars.

Alan: Money can't buy love.

Darwin: What about ice cream?

Alan: Yes, I guess money can buy ice cream.

Gumball: He meant can ice cream buy your love?

Alan: You can't buy love or fake love. Love is immaterial, unquantifiable, love is, [Gumball and Darwin have left] uh... guys? [Sighs, then looks at the camera and smiles] Love is the butterflies in your stomach, [the camera begins to pan away and he tries to keep up] love is that rush you feel when you, uh, [the camera speeds up] that rush you feel when you--Hey! That rush you feel for knowing that there is more to this--[Grunts] Oh, come on!

[Later, the bell rings again. Masami exits the girls' bathroom]

Carmen, Leslie, and Teri: Happy Day-Before-Your-Birthday Day!

[They laugh sycophantically]

Masami: What are you talking about?

Carmen: [nervously] Heh, you know, the Day-Before-Your-Birthday Day, the tradition when your friends act like your slaves and in exchange, you tell them how to avoid making you angry at your party. Heh, heh!

Masami: Please don't do that.

Leslie: Yeah, leave her alone, guys. [Walks up to Masami] I got you a gift you'll love.

Masami: Look, please stop freaking out about the gift. Like, a flower is fine.

[Leslie throws his gift away, hitting Teri]

Leslie: How funny, that's exactly what I got you. Look.

[He picks his own head off and offers it to Masami, screaming several times]

Masami: Enough! Stop, fawning over me.

Teri: How exactly would you like us to stop fawning over you?

Leslie: Should we wind it down slowly?

Carmen: Or cut it altogether?

Masami: Can we just forget, that it is my birthday?

[She leaves]

Teri: It's a test.

[They run off. Gumball and Darwin come up off of the floor, disguised as it. They're scuffed up]

Gumball: Okay, you were right - we should have camouflaged ourselves against the wall instead of the floor.

Darwin: Did you notice how unhappy she was? It's like she's forgotten how to have fun. She's gone fun-numb.

Gumball: Yeah, does she even realize how good she has it? You know what? Maybe Dad was right, what she needs for her birthday is a big old nothing.

Darwin: Wait, I don't understand.

Gumball: You know how you only miss things once they're gone? What if our present was to give her a new taste for life? Something that'll make her realize how lucky she is?

Darwin: No - we locked you in our basement so you missed your birthday party and realized how much you actually wanted it.

Masami: Mm-hmm, right, although that is an interesting idea, it is a felony to lock people up against their will.

Gumball: And that's why we're gonna abandon that plan and open the door right now. [Rushes up to the door to open it, but he breaks the whole handle off] What's the jail time for an accidental felony? [Throws the handle away. He bangs on the door crying for help and Darwin yells, too. All of the rooms in the house are empty] Why will nobody help?!

[Cut to the hospital. The Bandage Doctor talks to Nicole while Richard looks at Anais, who's lying in a bed, all swollen up, and holding a frog]

Gumball: [Trying to grab the phone] Whoawhoawhoawhoa, wait! [Grabs the phone] Wait! [The camera shutter and a ding are heard] You're making it sound like we've locked you in the basement against your will!

Masami: You kinda have.

Darwin: Your dad doesn't have to know that! And we said sorry.

Masami: No, you didn't.

Gumball: Well, we'll say it now.

[He and Darwin start begging and saying "Sorry!"]

Masami: Apology not accepted! [Grabs her phone] And - YOU JUST SENT THIS TO MY DAD!

[She shows a picture of herself shielding herself from the camera flash with the text "Dad please help they've locked me in a basement"]

Darwin: It was really bad!

Gumball: Okay, don't stress! I can fix this. [Grabs the phone again] "Hey, Mr. Yoshida. Your daughter is safe, to get her back, just follow my instructions. You need--"

[Darwin grabs onto the phone]

Darwin: You're making it worse! [He and Darwin fight over the phone. Darwin gets it and the phone dings] "To get her back, just follow my instructions. You need 3M"? AS IN 3 MILLION DOLLARS?! Then there's emojis of a clock and a flamingo dancing. Does that make it more or less sinister?

Gumball: Listen, I'll just call him!

[Grabs the phone again. Darwin reaches for it and they fight over it again as it dings repeatedly]

[Cut to the party. Most of Gumball's other classmates are there, many of them smiling nervously and some frowning as Mr. Yoshida's phone receives the texts]

Doughnut Sheriff: I'm not sure about the sheep blowin' air out of his butt onto a cake, but the clock and the flamingo dancer definitely means "Be on time or face the music." [Mr. Yoshida gasps] Don't worry, Mr. Yoshida. We've triangulated a signal. I'm sendin' in the big boys.

[Cut back to the basement. Gumball and Darwin fall down the stairs, still fighting over the phone. They hit the floor and the phone lands face-down. Masami picks it up - the screen is broken]

Masami: How are we gonna call for help now?!

Gumball: Look for anything that could be useful!

[They all rapidly dig around the basement]

Darwin: [Holds up a flare gun] Here!

Gumball: Yes! A flare! Someone's bound to see it!

Masami: Isn't that a bit dangerous?

Gumball: Masami, please, we've been in a lot of unexpected predicaments before and we always escape unhurt. [Masami and Darwin just look at him] Okay, we sometimes escape unhurt. [They still look at him] All right, we escaped unhurt once...and then we hurt ourselves on the way home.

[The gun goes off and the flare ricochets into a box, which catches fire]

Gumball: Okay, although this looks bad, it could be a whole lot--[Everything else suddenly catches fire] Quick, rain on it!

[Masami struggles, then blushes and stops]

Masami: I can't when I'm being watched.

[There is an explosion off-screen and they run to another section of the basement, screaming]

Gumball: Oh, look! Two pipes - one is gas, one is water.

Darwin: [To Masami] It's your birthday, you choose.

[There is a bigger explosion off-screen and they scream]

Masami: [Pointing to the bottom pipe] That one!

[Gumball takes part of the pipe out and the water douses the fire. Gumball sighs and they all laugh until they realize that the basement starts to flood]

Darwin: What do we do?!

Gumball: Drink! Drink like your life depends on it! Which it does. [They all start drinking, but it's no use so they stop] Wait. Guys, what are we doing? I've got the perfect tool to get us out of here.

[He uses the pipe part to suck in water]

Masami: [Grabs it] For goodness' sake! [Holds her breath, goes underwater, and uses the pipe part to pry the door open. They all fly out of the basement into the living room, coughing] Well. After being trapped in a basement with you guys, I certainly do appreciate my life a lot more.

Darwin: Sorry, we just wanted to get you the best gift possible.

Masami: I'd have been happy with something small - like these socks I got from Harry. [Her legs come out and she's wearing the socks] I wear them all the time.

Gumball: Okay, firstly: What? You got legs? Secondly: Everyone thought you had Harry's dad run out of Elmore. And thirdly: What? You got legs?

Masami: Firstly: Yes, I have legs. Secondly: Harry's dad got promoted, that's why they had to move away. And thirdly: See firstly. All I really wanted was for people to treat me like a normal person and sing "Happy Birthday" to me.

Gumball and Darwin: [To each other] Awww.

Gumball: Ready, Darwin?

[They both inhale]

Gumball and Darwin: [singing] Happy--

[A SWAT team of French Fries barges in and knock Gumball and Darwin on their faces while a police siren is heard]